Frazier, Jeter meet at '98, '14 All-Star Games

National League infielder Todd Frazier (21) of the Cincinnati Reds at bat in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field.(Photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)

MINNEAPOLIS -- The day the now-famous picture of a 12-year-old Todd Frazier standing next to Derek Jeter during the national anthem at Yankee Stadium was taken, Frazier was upset that he wouldn't be standing next to his favorite Yankee, Paul O'Neill.

Frazier and his Little League World Series championship team from Toms River, N.J., was honored before a Yankees game, and each member of the Toms River team stood with his counterpart on the Yankees -- that meant Frazier, a shortstop, stood with Jeter.

From that day on, even though Frazier was a Red Sox fan, he was a fan of Jeter, as well.

"I was like, when I was little, I didn't want to see another guy. I was a big Paul O'Neill fan, he was my favorite player. When I saw him, I thought that was the coolest thing, to be honest with you," Frazier said. "Once I saw Jeter, everything changed. I watched the way he went about his business, how he prepared. I was in the dugout at 12 years old, just watching. Everyone's watching home runs go over the fence and I'm watching Jeter and how he goes about his business. I said, 'I want to be that shortstop.'"

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright said he wanted Derek Jeter to have his moment, but Wainwright didn't know he was going to hit a double. "If I knew...I might've changed my mind. I probably should've pitched a little bit better," he joked.
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Frazier, now a third baseman, was on the same field with Jeter for his final All-Star Game on Tuesday.

"It's pretty cool, in '98 to meet him then and now I'm playing with him in his last All-Star game," Frazier said. "I think that's pretty cool, he's a down-to-earth guy and he deserves every accolade he gets."

Frazier said he got a ball signed by Jeter that day in 1998, but it's not on display like the signed copy of the picture from that day. Frazier got Jeter to sign it two years ago and it now hangs in the bar in his house.

"He reminded me of that moment when we played them a few years back," Jeter told reporters on Monday. "I remember the Little League teams that come to the Stadium usually come and stand next to us. It means I've been doing it for a long time – a very long time. It's great to see guys that you run into when they're young. There's been plenty of players I've played against that have said I had an opportunity to met them earlier in my career. I enjoy those stories."

ALL-STAR 'DO: A couple of All-Stars got special haircuts when they got to Minneapolis for the All-Star Game, including Reds starter Alfredo Simon. Simon, Yasiel Puig and others got stars shaved into their head.

"We went there together and they made the design when we first got here," said Simon, who was making his first All-Star appearance.

The Reds' five All-Stars talk to the media during the MLB All-Star press conference in Minneapolis on Monday.
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NO HOMER HANGOVER: Todd Frazier wasn't worried about the Home Run Derby messing with his swing when he accepted Troy Tulowitzki's invitation and he wasn't worried the day after losing in the finals.

"I'm trying to try to hit home runs to right field like I always do," said Frazier before batting practice on Tuesday. "My swing will be there. I'm going to be on the beach tomorrow, so I'll be fine."

LOW-KEY MESORACO: During Tuesday's Home Run Derby, Reds pitchers Alfredo Simon, Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman all made sure they had their camera time, giving Frazier (in the case of Simon and Cueto) Gatorade and advice during his at-bats and Chapman talking to countryman Yoenis Cespedes during his at-bat. But nowhere to be seen was the fifth Reds All-Star, Devin Mesoraco.

Although he was an All-Star, Mesoraco said he was a little uncomfortable being treated like one.

"It's not really my thing," Mesoraco said. "It's definitely nice to be recognized and cool to have the honor."

That's why Mesoraco said he spent much of the derby back in the batting cage, talking to Frazier and watching out of the spotlight. Mesoraco enjoyed the event, nonetheless, just in his own way.

"It was a lot of fun -- it was surreal because you watch it every year on TV, and to be there watching was pretty cool," Mesoraco said.

Mesoraco said he'd participate next year if asked.

"If I was asked, I'm sure I'd do it, just to say I've done it. I don't know how I'd fare," Mesoraco said. "I don't think I'd be the best, but I'd sure give it a shot."

INTRUDER IN THE DUGOUT: Pitcher Jeff Samardzija was named a National League All-Star by winning a players' vote, but since he was traded earlier this month to the American League's A's, he was not allowed to play for either team.

While Samardzija wore a National League batting practice jersey and generic All-Star Game hat for team photos and had a locker in the National League clubhouse, by the time the game got underway, he found his way to the American League dugout, wearing an A's pullover and an A's All-Star hat.